Physical Therapists
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
Physical Therapists assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury. The role reports a median annual salary of $101,020 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $65,120 and $131,990 and is projected to grow 11% over the next decade (faster than average). Entry typically requires a Doctoral or professional degree, and shows low AI exposure (0.25 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving.
Salary distribution (US)
Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Therapy and Counseling
- Biology
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Chemistry
A day in the life
You arrive at the clinic and your first patient is a high school athlete recovering from a torn ACL—you guide them through strengthening exercises, monitor their form, and adjust the rehab plan based on their progress. By mid-morning you are working with a stroke survivor, helping them relearn how to walk using parallel bars and balance boards while motivating them through frustration. Afternoons include evaluating new patients, writing treatment plans, and maybe visiting a patient's home to assess whether grab bars or ramps are needed. The job is physically hands-on and emotionally rewarding because you literally watch people regain abilities they thought they had lost.
Frequently asked questions
What does Physical Therapists do?
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
What does a typical day look like in Physical Therapists?
You arrive at the clinic and your first patient is a high school athlete recovering from a torn ACL—you guide them through strengthening exercises, monitor their form, and adjust the rehab plan based on their progress. By mid-morning you are working with a stroke survivor, helping them relearn how to walk using parallel bars and balance boards while motivating them through frustration.
How much does Physical Therapists earn?
The median annual salary for Physical Therapists in the US is $101,020. The middle 80% of workers earn between $65,120 and $131,990 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $79,200 and $116,870.
What is the job outlook for Physical Therapists?
The role is projected to grow 11% over the next decade (faster than average). Current US employment is approximately 267,200 workers.
How do I become physical therapists?
The typical entry education is a Doctoral or professional degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Physical Therapists need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Service Orientation. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Physical Therapists?
Our AI-durability model gives Physical Therapists a score of 0.25 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Physical Therapists has very high barrier to entry — very highly gated — extended graduate education, licensure, or years of specialised training are required.
Is Physical Therapists right for you?
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